Chapter Nine: A Rather Anticlimactic End

“Ky!” Ky looked up.

“What is it, Champignon?” Champignon was positively beaming.

“It’s over! The Emperor is coming! To get his son, the Archduke! They’ve agreed to end the war!”

“What?! Seriously?!”

“Yeah! We’ve finally figured out who blew up their palace, so we’re turning those morons over to the Daarians along with the Archduke. And then we’ll be done!”

“Great! When will the Emperor be here?” Ky asked.

“In just under a week. You’ll probably want to be at the meeting, right?”

“Duh!”

0o0o0

“And presenting his Imperial Highness N’zorar Augustus Avitus Simonides, Emperor of D’oldaar.” Everyone bowed. Now was not a time to offend the Emperor. Champignon stepped forward.

“Greetings, Emperor! I am Champignon de Pamplemousses,” he said simply. The Emperor inclined his head.

“I have heard much of you, Lord de Pamplemousses. Much indeed.” He smiled at the commanders present. “And so these are my worthy adversaries. It is a pleasure to meet all of you.” There was more bowing. “But enough of this small talk! Please, let us end this war!”

“I like this guy,” I informed Ky. “He doesn’t waste time. Very nice.”

Everyone sat down around a large table. There was some discussion, and then some paper was produced, already signed and sealed by the Chancellor. The Emperor read it, nodded to himself, and signed and sealed it.

I have to say, it was a rather anticlimactic end to a war.

0o0o0

“So, now what?” Ky asked Champignon. The war was over. The army had packed up and left. The last stragglers had left yesterday. Now it was just the last few commanders who had stayed to make sure everyone had gone.

“I dunno. What do you want to do?” Champignon asked. Ky smiled.

“Well, I’ve been wanting to see that castle of yours. The Emperor did give it back to you. I say we go visit it. What about you, Senna?” Senna shrugged.

“I don’t care. You’re going to drag me along no matter where we go.” Ky nodded.

“True.”

“Alright then,” Champignon agreed. “We will go see this castle of mine. It’s probably horribly infested with mice, now, though. Then where to?” Ky just shrugged.

“Somewhere. Maybe we can travel some. I’ve always liked travelling. You know, I’ve spent most of my time here in the south. After winter, maybe we should go north. I’ve always wanted to see the Mevarian Court...”

The End